Power distribution companies have criticized the continued failure of government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), including the military, to pay their electricity bills. They argue that this non-payment significantly contributes to the challenges in Nigeria’s power sector.
Additionally, they have threatened legal action against the Nigerian Air Force after armed personnel allegedly vandalized the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (Ikeja Electric).
Attack on Ikeja Electric’s Headquarters
The Executive Director of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), Sunday Oduntan, strongly condemned the attack on Ikeja Electric’s office, describing it as an unacceptable act of aggression.
Eyewitnesses reported that around 7:40 a.m., military officers in trucks arrived at the company’s premises in Alausa, Lagos, and proceeded to assault employees and others present. The attackers also damaged property worth millions of naira, with some equipment reportedly taken to the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base in Ikeja.
Oduntan insisted that legal action would be taken against those responsible. “Justice must be served. Significant damage was done, and those involved must be held accountable,” he stated.
Unsettled Electricity Bills
Oduntan highlighted the long-standing issue of unpaid electricity bills by government institutions, despite President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to clear accumulated debts. He revealed that these unpaid bills amount to billions of naira, with the military among the biggest defaulters.
He criticized the military’s reluctance to settle its electricity debts, stating that such actions undermine the stability of the power sector. “It’s time to expose MDAs that refuse to pay their debts. They owe billions, yet they continue to use electricity without payment. This is unsustainable and is harming the sector,” he said.
Oduntan noted that President Tinubu had demonstrated commitment to addressing the issue, citing how the Presidential Villa cleared its debts after a disconnection threat last year. However, he pointed out that other government agencies had not followed suit.
He specifically called out the Ikeja Air Force Base, which he claimed owes ₦4.3 billion. “Instead of paying their debt, they resorted to violence. This must not continue,” he asserted.
Impact on Nigeria’s Power Sector
Oduntan explained that unpaid debts negatively affect power generation, transmission, and distribution. He warned that continued non-payment would worsen the country’s electricity problems.
“Government agencies and the military are major contributors to the electricity crisis. An Air Force base alone owes over ₦4 billion. How can the sector function properly when payments are not being made? Discos only keep a fraction of the revenue collected, yet they are expected to sustain the industry,” he said.
He further warned that such financial instability discourages investment. “No investor will put money into a sector where companies are attacked simply for demanding payment,” he added.
No Reconnection Without Payment
Oduntan made it clear that Ikeja Electric would not restore power to the Air Force Base unless the outstanding debt was settled. He dismissed claims that the power cut could threaten military operations, arguing that they have alternative power sources such as generators.
He also revealed that some officials had pressured Ikeja Electric to reconnect the base. “We have received inquiries about restoring power, but this will not happen until the debt is cleared. There must be accountability,” he stated.
Concerns Over Civilian Authority
Oduntan suggested that such an attack reflected a lack of respect for civilian leadership. He noted that similar incidents had not occurred under previous military-led administrations, underscoring the need for stronger enforcement of the law.
“This attack challenges civilian authority. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, yet military personnel acted in this manner. This must not be ignored,” he said.
Calls for Accountability
ANED has vowed to pursue justice until those responsible for the attack are identified and held accountable. Other stakeholders in the energy sector have also condemned the incident.
Adetayo Adegbemle, Executive Director of Powerup Nigeria, called the attack regrettable, while Professor Dayo Ayoade, an energy expert at the University of Lagos, criticized the military for resorting to violence instead of upholding discipline.
Industry leaders stress that without proper enforcement of bill payments and accountability for such attacks, Nigeria’s power sector will continue to struggle.
